Carbon Storage in Equatorial Forest Soil-litter Systems as a Function of Management Intensity and Type of Vegetation Cover

Aims and Place: The increase in greenhouse gas emissions in recent decades, especially CO2, is attributed to the increasing burning of fossil fuels and the expansion of agricultural activities. Therefore, more information should be garnered about the mechanisms that control carbon storage, capture and sinks, while simultaneously seeking new management strategies to reduce atmospheric emissions. The main purpose of this research was to comparatively determine carbon storage in the soil and litter of three forest systems in the Western Amazon (Brazil): upland forest, shrublands and grasslands.

Duration of Study: Dry and rainy periods between 2005 and 2012.

Methodology: Diverse soil analysis including density, porosity, particle-size, total carbon (TC and TOC) were developed according to traditional methods. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) and Tukey’s test were applied to the results.

Results and Conclusion: Total C storage C ranged from 23 to 26 Mg ha-1 in the grasslands to 28 to 37 Mg ha-1 in the shrublands. These findings confirm the importance of seasonality for both litter production and carbon production and storage in the different landscapes. The conditions of land use and occupation were predominant factors that explain the different concentrations of total carbon and organic carbon in the areas under study. Additional studies are needed to determine the most efficient management of these landscapes.